By Chijindu Emeruwa
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Saturday, in Abia State formally received a former presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Cosmos Ndukwe into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The event took place in Ward C, Akanu Item in Awuja Automous Community, Item, Bende local government area of Abia State during Kalu’s tour of electoral wards in his Bende federal constituency.
Ndukwe, a grassroot politician in Abia State had previously served as a councillor, vice chairman, Aba north local government area, Chief of Staff to former Governor T. A. Orji, several times Commissioner, deputy speaker of Abia State House of Assembly and presidential aspirant in 2023 general election.
Speaking at the event, Kalu applauded Ndukwe’s decision to join the APC, stressing that the party under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is determined to develop the South East region.
Recalling the signing into law of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) bill, the deputy speaker said that President Tinubu has done what the previous Presidents of Nigeria couldn’t do for the region.
He called on the people to continue to support the APC administration, assuring that the President will do more for them.
Kalu also thanked the people for not protesting against the government.
The deputy Speaker distributed some bags of rice and fertilizers with some cash gifts to the people to support the people in agriculture.
He said: “It is one of our rules that when you want to join our party, you go to the grassroots. If you are a good politician, let us see your face at the ward level. So, the person we have here and the people he is coming with are well established politicians. Dr. Cosmos Ndukwe is a politician with a name. His track record is well known. From being a councillor to a presidential aspirant in PDP. He was also a deputy speaker. He’s strong politician in my constituency. So, don’t ignore him. This is a big catch.
“What is happening today is significant. People are coming to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because they know he is the only president that is doing what others couldn’t do. He’s a man who has prioritized food insecurity. More people will join our party because they are seeing the light and they want to join our party. For 54 years, we were promised Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation, yet none was fulfilled. It was President Tinubu that remembered and signed the SEDC bill into law to develop the South East. We will continue to support him”.
In his response, Ndukwe thanked the deputy speaker for coming to receive him in his Ward in Item.
He said that the decision to join APC was to support President Tinubu in his concerted effort to develop the south east region in particular and Nigeria in general.
